If you think the the Scottish Premier League is a goldfish bowl spare a thought for the league of Kosovo.

Despite an on going public relations campaign to be accepted by UEFA and FIFA the 12 team league in this tiny enclave in South Eastern Europe are for the time being destined to play each other in perpetuity.

Caught in the middle of international politics neither body wants to take responsibility for either the club game or the international side.

An international side that doesn't have anyone to play.

Since declaring independence from Serbia in 2008 it has been recognised by more than 90 countries crucially though not by the United Nations. This is where the problem lies, for Kosovo has never applied for membership because it wouldn't be approved by Serbia's ally on the security council, Russia.

But the Kosovan football authorities shouldn't be giving up hope. Indeed there are examples in the cases of Taiwan and Palestine, both FIFA members, but not members of the UN. 

So why is Kosovo so different? Nobody it would appear in either governing body has a clear answer.

But surely pressure on both bodies from other football associations could lobby a change?  This approach has worked for other sports, Kosovan softball, table tennis and weightlifting teams have all been accepted into the international fold.

Would they really get the support of other small nation's ruling bodies though? Another potentially fraught trip to the Balkans in search of three points is probably something the Scottish Football Association would rather avoid.

The Kosovans may be testing their skills against each other for some time yet.  Tweet